As Kristen and I lay in bed last night before finally falling asleep, I told her something she already knew.
You see, yesterday morning was a our last morning at our church here before we move in 12 days.
"I don't quite know how to say this, but I realized something today." I said. "We like, left the institutional/traditional church today."
"Yeah, I know." She says (and she does, because she always knows things before I do).
"I mean, not like "Hey, we are outta here" kind of leaving. It's just that the road ahead does not look like the road behind."
There are no more kid's choirs or already staffed children's ministries in our future.
There are no padded pews or established budgets.
There are no people in this new ministry who have 'been there for years'.
There is no building, no money (very little, anyway), no staff (yet), no history to build on.
It's like the first day of school. Do you remember that? You've been so ready for it. You've prepared, built up for it. You've got your school supplies, your spiderman lunch box, your new 'school clothes'.
And then the day comes. And you are on the bus, or in the classroom, and you realize that mom's not there.
That's a little like what this feels like.
Warning- If you are thinking about joining with this ministry, you must be ready for this experience. You don't have to turn your back on 'normal' churches. But you do have to realize that our immediate future with this new ministry will not look like anything you have experienced so far. If you think you need the comfort of what normal churches offer, you need to stay there! This not a judgment, just a heads up before you make any decision.
That said, I am reminded of Jesus' words to Peter.
Matthew 19:28-30 (English Standard Version)
28Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
What we are about to enter into is going to be a wild ride marked distinctly by God's love and faithfulness. We will need God more than we have ever needed him. We will see God move in more dynamic ways than ever. We will see people in a new way and love them more intensely.
Just as I would not go back in time and refuse to go to school, just like the natural steps of progression in our lives from babyhood to boyhood to adolescence to teenage years to college to adulthood to marriage to children are all marked by harrowing passages that we would never think of refusing to cross, so too this. There's no turning back now.
You see, yesterday morning was a our last morning at our church here before we move in 12 days.
"I don't quite know how to say this, but I realized something today." I said. "We like, left the institutional/traditional church today."
"Yeah, I know." She says (and she does, because she always knows things before I do).
"I mean, not like "Hey, we are outta here" kind of leaving. It's just that the road ahead does not look like the road behind."
There are no more kid's choirs or already staffed children's ministries in our future.
There are no padded pews or established budgets.
There are no people in this new ministry who have 'been there for years'.
There is no building, no money (very little, anyway), no staff (yet), no history to build on.
It's like the first day of school. Do you remember that? You've been so ready for it. You've prepared, built up for it. You've got your school supplies, your spiderman lunch box, your new 'school clothes'.
And then the day comes. And you are on the bus, or in the classroom, and you realize that mom's not there.
That's a little like what this feels like.
Warning- If you are thinking about joining with this ministry, you must be ready for this experience. You don't have to turn your back on 'normal' churches. But you do have to realize that our immediate future with this new ministry will not look like anything you have experienced so far. If you think you need the comfort of what normal churches offer, you need to stay there! This not a judgment, just a heads up before you make any decision.
That said, I am reminded of Jesus' words to Peter.
Matthew 19:28-30 (English Standard Version)
28Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
What we are about to enter into is going to be a wild ride marked distinctly by God's love and faithfulness. We will need God more than we have ever needed him. We will see God move in more dynamic ways than ever. We will see people in a new way and love them more intensely.
Just as I would not go back in time and refuse to go to school, just like the natural steps of progression in our lives from babyhood to boyhood to adolescence to teenage years to college to adulthood to marriage to children are all marked by harrowing passages that we would never think of refusing to cross, so too this. There's no turning back now.
Wow! I'm touched by the magnatude of this undertaking. It is awesome to see the faith that you and Kristen have. I'm very impressed and feel that you really know what you are doing...and what you are in for! The highs will be out of sight and the lows will be...well...low.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you son. You are right on course. 12 days. Can't wait!
Patrick & Kristen,
ReplyDeleteWe are so excited for you and those who join you :) Craig and I have been sensing a change coming for a while now--probably close to 2 years and we've really been wondering if planting a church in St. Joseph is what God is calling us to. Craig gets so excited even thinking about it, but a town of less than 4.000 people with 5-6 churches already doesn't sound like it needs another, does it? We would love to chat with you--let us know when you'll have a little time (probably close to impossible at the moment, but there's no harm in asking!). Craig's e-mail is uthwrangler@hotmail.com, mine is kingandqueen31@hotmail.com. We hope to touch base with you soon!
Audrey